Arizona's Blockchain Gun Tracking Bill is Close to Becoming Law

Arizona legislators have completed a bill that seeks to prevent blockchains from being used as a tool for trackarms tracking.

First filed by an Arizona state representative in mid-January, House Bill 2216 seeks to stop anyone – save for law enforcement or other exempt entities – from using blockchain tech to track when a gun is fired, for example. More broadly, the measure focuses on potential targets of gun-tracking through the use of “electronic firearm tracking technology” – a term that, as the text goes on to explain, would include blockchain.

ADVERTISEMENT

As detailed in the bill:

“For the purposes of this section, ‘Electronic Firearm Tracking Technology’ means a platform, system or group of systems or devices that uses a shared ledger, distributed ledger or block chain technology or similar form of technology or electronic database for the purpose of storing information in a decentralized or centralized way, that is not owned or controlled by any single person or entity and that is used to locate or control the use of a firearm.”

As shown in public records, the bill moved quickly through the Arizona House of Representatives after being entered, but hit a roadblock in the upper chamber. Ultimately, though, the bill advanced.

The senate passed the measure by a 17-12 vote (with one member abstaining). And, yesterday, the House gave its blessing in a 34-24 vote, after which the bill was sent to Governor Doug Ducey for signature.

This will be the second bill completed in Arizona this year that has focused on blockchain technology. The first, signed by Governor Ducey at the end of March, recognizes blockchain-based signatures and smart contracts under state law.